Zimmerman on "The President and the Universities"
Professor Jonathan Zimmerman reflects on a panel discussion about Donald Trump's impact on higher education, where his call for self-examination among academics was met with silence and a critique of his language. The incident illustrates a broader failure in universities to engage in open dialogue and critical self-reflection, despite their stated commitment to democratic discourse. Zimmerman argues that higher education must confront its own role in declining public trust rather than solely blaming external political forces.
- ▪Jonathan Zimmerman is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and wrote an essay titled 'The President and the Universities' published in Liberties.
- ▪At a Washington meeting of education scholars, Zimmerman questioned what role universities played in contributing to the current crisis in higher education.
- ▪A participant criticized Zimmerman's use of the phrase 'circle the wagons' for its connotation of Native American displacement, prompting awkward silence.
- ▪The panel moderator responded by emphasizing careful language rather than facilitating discussion on Zimmerman's substantive question about institutional introspection.
- ▪Zimmerman argues that universities have contributed to public skepticism through high costs, questionable degree value, and a lack of genuine self-critique.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Higher Education Zimmerman on "The President and the Universities" The first step in recovery is recognizing that you have a problem. Jonathan H. Adler | 5.1.2026 11:15 AM Professor Jonathan Zimmerman of the University of Pennsylvania has a worthwhile essay on the state of higher education in Liberties (a relatively new journal that is routinely filled with worthwhile material). His essay, "The President and the Universities" begins: In March of last year, about six weeks after Donald Trump returned to the White House, I traveled to Washington for a meeting of American education scholars. The opening panel focused — appropriately enough — on Trump's threats to university funding, free speech on campus, and more. Then it was time for questions, and I raised my hand.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Reason.com.
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